Group of anti-anxiety drugs that increase GABA's inhibitory effect in the central nervous system, thus having a sedative effect. As such, it has been effective for controlling anxiety and helping with insomnia. 
Examples of benzodiazepines:
- Diazpam (valium)
- Xanax
- Halcion
- Ativan

Benzodiazepines to treat Anxiety

- Class of substances used to treat anxiety
- "Anxiety Dissolving"
- At high doses have anti-convulsant & sleep-inducing properties
- Anxiolytic benzodiazepines bind to GABA receptors throughout the brain but especially in the cerebral cortex and some areas of the hippocampus and amygdala

Anxiolytics to treat Anxiety

Generally prescribed for anxiety and OCD-like symptoms. It is the first line of treatment for anxiety. It works by stopping the reabsorption of Serotonin, thus stimulated mood regulation.

1. citalopram (Celexa)
2. escitalopram (Lexapro)
3. fluoxetine (Prozac)
4. fluvoxamine (Luvox)
5. paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva)
6. sertraline (Zoloft)

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

Treats depression and anxiety, and can be prescribed for even chronic pain. It reduces the brain’s reabsorption of serotonin and norepinephrine.

1. duloxetine (Cymbalta)
2. venlafaxine (Effexor XR)

Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors

- SSRIs
- SNRIs
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Benzodiazepines
- B- blockers
- Buspirone
- MAOIs
- Anxiolytics

Syracuse University

Michigan State University

State University of New York at Buffalo

This list includes different types of methods for treating and/or managing different anxiety disorders. These include:
-	Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
-	Drug Treatment
-	Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
-	Psychodynamic-Interpersonal Treatment

Treatment and Management Methods for Anxiety Disorders

Breedlove, S. & Watson, N. (2017). Behavioral neuroscience, eighth edition. Oxford University Press.

Behavioral Neuroscience 8th Edition

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is one of the most commonly seen disorders in primary care and mental health services. As a result of low funding and lack of access to mental health services for many (e.g. counseling), briefer programs designed to treat these disorders are becoming more and more necessary. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is a particularly promising option due to its ability to treat more than one disorder at a time, and its many other benefits. 

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy used with Individuals with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Depression 

Drug Treatments for Anxiety Disorders

Being able to regulate one’s emotions has been shown to be very important in the treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). There is evidence that practicing mindfulness by utilizing Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and continuing it long-term can benefit attentional deployment. Those with SAD have a dysregulation of attention processes, shown by extreme focus and attentional avoidance of stimuli they perceive as a threat. Therefore, the positive effects MBSR has on attentional processes may target the mechanisms that contribute to SAD.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for patients with Social Anxiety Disorder 

- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Medications
- Neurosurgery

Treatments of OCD

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has been used amongst individuals with diagnosed PTSD after Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) with the intent to improve mood processes, PTSD specific outcomes and related symptoms, ACT outcomes, and overall quality of life

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Used with Individuals with PTSD after Traumatic Brain Injury

Crits-Christoph, P. (2002). Psychodynamic-interpersonal treatment of generalized anxiety disorder: Science and practice. Clinical Psychology, 9(1), 81-84. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/clipsy.9.1.81

Psychodynamic-interpersonal treatment of generalized anxiety disorder

Psychodynamic-interpersonal treatment for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) frames the patient's worried thoughts about potential danger as a defense mechanism. The therapist helps the patient recognize these underlying worries, enabling them to realize that the anticipated harm is less likely or threatening than they imagine.

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